A Falmouth fish and chip shop has been chosen as one of the ten best fish and chip restaurants in the country - according to industry publication Fryer Magazine.

Harbour Lights also made the top 50 best takeaway fish and chip shops in the country along with Greg & Lou's in Redruth.

The UK’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways and 10 Best Fish and Chip Restaurants 2022/2023 see mystery judges go into premises unannounced and secretly scrutinise a host of aspects including the quality of the food, the cleanliness of the premises, staff knowledge, value for money, ease of ordering and social media presence.

Shops can achieve 100% if they score top marks on every section of the mystery dine, but had to achieve at least 95% or over for takeaways to win an award and 92% or over for restaurants.

Manager Callan Hurst, said the award was "brilliant" coming just a couple of weeks after the restaurant came in the top three in the National Fish and Chip Awards.

"We are very excited by it," he told the Packet. "It's brilliant news. Secret shoppers came into the restaurant and were really impressed with our service."

This is the 11th year the awards have been held and each year the judging criteria reflects the changing nature of the business. For example, this year marks were awarded to shops that have introduced an ordering app.

Reece Head, competition organiser, comments: “Once again we’ve had another year where it’s simply got harder to operate a fish and chip business, with rising energy, labour and ingredient costs taking a heavy toll.

“It’s not easy but operators are working harder and smarter, staying ahead of changing tastes and behaviours and adapting accordingly.

“Our awards are a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment these operators put into running successful businesses.

"We’re seeing shops introduce vegan and gluten free options to appeal to a wider customer base, instal self-serve kiosks and develop online ordering apps to make serving easier, invest in new frying equipment to produce better quality fish and chips, and embrace social media to engage with and reach more customers.

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“The businesses that make up our 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways and 10 Best Fish & Chip Restaurants represent the best in the industry. They are pushing forwards while not losing sight of what makes the chippy so engrained in British culture - high quality, value for money food with great customer service and inviting surroundings.”

All takeaways, restaurants and mobiles that entered receive their mystery dining reports, and a winner’s poster and plaque to display in their shops.

The competition is sponsored Frymax, Middleton Foods, KFE, NFFF, Nortech Foods, Drywite, Friars Pride, VA Whitley, Henry Colbecks, Seafood from Norway, BD Signs & BDigital and Pukka.

The Fry Awards 2023/24 will open for entry in April 2023 at www.frymagazine.com